ENHANCED FUEL TANK FOR MOBILE GROUND POWER UNIT

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a Mobile ground power unit for supplying power to an aircraft parked on the ground, the ground power unit comprising an engine, an electric generator, whereby the electric generator is configured to be driven by the engine, a housing whereby the engine and the electric generator are disposed within the housing, and a fuel tank, wherein the fuel tank comprises a wall that forms at least one channel that allows air to pass from one side of the fuel tank to another side of the fuel tank. The disclosure further relates to a fuel tank for a ground power unit.

Claims

1. Mobile ground power unit for supplying power to an aircraft parked on the ground, the ground power unit comprising an engine and an electric generator, whereby the electric generator is configured to be driven by the engine, a housing whereby the engine and the electric generator are disposed within the housing, a fuel tank wherein the fuel tank comprises a wall that forms at least one channel that allows air to pass from one side of the fuel tank to another side of the fuel tank.

2. Ground power unit according to claim 1, wherein the fuel tank is rotor molded or rotor casted.

3. Ground power unit according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the fuel tank is surrounding the channel except for an inlet opening and an outlet opening of the channel.

4. Ground power unit according to claim 1, wherein the channel has an inlet on the bottom side of the fuel tank and an outlet on the top side of the fuel tank.

5. Method for operating a ground power unit according to claim 1, whereby air is passed from one side of the fuel tank to another side of the fuel tank by the at least one channel.

6. Fuel tank for a ground power unit wherein the ground power unit comprises an engine and an electric generator, wherein the electric generator is configured to be driven by the engine, wherein the fuel tank comprises a wall that forms at least one channel that allows air to pass from one side of the tank to another side of the fuel tank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described—by way of example only—with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereby

[0032] FIG. 1 is a sketch of a GPU according to the invention, having a fuel tank according the invention,

[0033] FIGS. 2a-2f are drawings of a GPU according to the invention based on FIG. 1 and incorporating as well many of the advantageous preferred features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 is showing a side view of a GPU 1 according to the invention having a fuel tank 50 according the invention. The GPU 1 comprises an engine 10 and an electric generator 20. The electric generator 20 is configured to be driven by the engine 10. The GPU 1 comprises a housing 30 whereby the engine 10 and the electric generator 20 are disposed within the housing 30. The fuel tank comprises 50 a wall 51 that forms at least one channel 52 that allows air to pass from one side 50.1 of the fuel tank 50 to another side 50.2 of the fuel tank 50.

[0035] This allows having an air intake into the housing through the fuel tank 50, resulting in less space needed for this function and additional cooling of the fuel.

[0036] FIGS. 2a-2f are showing a GPU 1 according to the invention based on FIG. 1 incorporating as well many of other advantageous preferred features. FIG. 2a is a side view, FIG. 2b a frontal view, FIG. 2c and d cross-sectional views, wherein in FIG. 2d, the canopy is retracted, FIG. 2e a section through the fuel tank and FIG. 2f the complete fuel tank.

[0037] The housing 30 features as a component 31 a canopy 31.1, which preferably is rotor molded or rotor cast, and which covers at least the upper side of the engine 10 and the generator 20.

[0038] The GPU 1 comprises a fuel tank 50 below generator and combustion engine, wherein the fuel tank 50 comprises a wall 51 that forms at least one channel 52 that allows air to pass from one side 50.1 of the tank to another side 50.2 of the fuel tank 50. The wall 51 of the fuel tank 50 is surrounding the channel 52 except for an inlet opening 52.1 and an outlet opening 52.2 of the channel 52. The channel 52 has an inlet on the bottom side of the fuel tank 50, which is the side 50.1, and an outlet on the top side of the fuel tank 50, which is the side 50.2. The channel 52 is located in the tank 50 at a position that is below and at one side of the generator 20 such that the generator 20 is in between the channel 52 and a ventilator 60 of the liquid cooling aggregate and therefore, an air stream will hit the generator 20. The channel 52 is furthermore positioned precisely at a generator 20 air intake. In FIG. 2c, the air flow due to the channel 22 is depicted by dashed arrows.

[0039] With this invention, a better fuel tank for a GPU is provided. Incorporating a channel through the fuel tank enhances the possibilities for better air circulation and it even helps cooling the fuel. The subject matter described in this application (applicant's reference 65757 (713-3726)) is also connected to further inventions, described in two additional applications marked with applicant's reference 65755 (713-3728) and 65756 (713-3727), which are hereby incorporated by reference.